1. Seleena D. Smith, M.Ed. University of Oklahoma February 12, 2011

2.  I had a superficial understanding of the amount of sacrifice I would have to make  In pursuit of my dream, I’ve had to miss out on important memories with loved ones  Late nights, limited and/or no sleep at times  Success doesn’t happen overnight

3.  The vision that you have for your life is just that—yours  Sometimes those closest to you will not support you  Do not allow others to detour you from your dreams  Establish a system of people who can relate and provide support

4.  Life is what happens when you’re making other plans  Working with people with diverse backgrounds, experiences, and personalities isn’t always easy  You cannot control everything

5.  You cannot lead and serve others if you are not mentally and physically healthy  Make time for family, friends, and activities that you enjoy  Maintain healthy boundaries (personally and professionally)  Find healthy ways to manage stress  Laugh and have fun

6.  It is so easy to go from one achievement to another  We get caught up on the next thing on the list  Take time to celebrate  Reflect on all you have done and the work it has taken to get where you are today

7.  “Never let the odds keep you from doing what you know in your heart you were meant to do”– H. Jackson Brown, Jr.  Believe in yourself and your dreams  It is no accident that you have made it this far…recognize your gifts and understand that you are destined for greatness.